Jelte Jim Smit 1873-1954

SMIT, VROOM, KLYNSMA, POTT

Posted By: Joleen Vande Kamp (email)
Date: 3/7/2010 at 14:27:31

Born November 2, 1873 Groningen Netherlands
Died May 11, 1954 Sheldon, IA

James Smit Sr, 90, resident of the Holland Home in Sheldon, IA passed away following a short illness of pneumonia.
Funeral Services May 14, 1954 at Sheldon Christian Reformed Church.
Officiating Rev RS De Haan and Rev DD Bonnema
Burial at Hospers Cemetery.

Jim J Smit left the Netherlands at the age of 20 years for Maxwell City, NM where he resided a little better than a year with his brother Gerrit. From there he moved to Chicago, IL where he was employed by Weber Wagon Works. Farming seemingly was his desire. He moved to a 60 acre farm eight miles east of Hospers.
In 1903 he married Wilhelmina Pott(sister of Sam Pott of Hospers)and soon after made profession of his faith in 1904. To this union 5 children were born, Joe of Sheldon,Chris of Brooten MN, Gertie (Mrs Harold Westerman) of Sanborn, Sam of Sheldon, William of Alton. Mrs Wilhelmina Smit passed away on March 11, 1911.
On February 3, 1913, Mr Smit married Mrs. Katie Klynsma, the mother of Frank and John Klynsma of Hospers. To this union were born 4 more children:
Winnie (Mrs Fred Poppema)of Sheldon, Jennie (Mrs John Waanders) of Hospers, Fannie (Mrs Gerrit Van Bruggen)of Sheldon and George of Hospers.
Mrs Katie Smit died on May 10, 1945.
On June 20, 1917 Jim Smit married Mrs Alice Granstra and lived together in the Holland Home of Sheldon until his death.
In addition to his wife and children, including Frank and John Klynsma, he is survived by 6 stepchildren , Alice (Mrs John Gorter)of Rock Rapids, Ed Holtrop of Sioux Center, Ethel (Mrs Jake Boer) of Sheldon, Louis Holtrop of Hawarden, Sam Holtrop of Sioux Center, and Tena, Mrs John Klein of Grand Rapids MI. There are 72 grandchildren and 6 great grand children.

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